Draymond Green (23) defends against Blake Griffin (32) in the first half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series.

The Williams family from San Lorenzo got to their seats early at Oracle arena in Oakland, Calif. The Golden State Warriors take on the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth game of the NBA playoffs Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

The Williams family from San Lorenzo got to their seats early at...

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Every fan seemed to have a smart phone camera as a memorable day was recorded at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. The Golden State Warriors take on the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth game of the NBA playoffs Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Every fan seemed to have a smart phone camera as a memorable day...

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A group of young fans got courtside seats for the warm ups as they watched Jordan Crawford at Oracle arena. The Golden State Warriors take on the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth game of the NBA playoffs Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

A group of young fans got courtside seats for the warm ups as they...

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An unidentified Clippers fan stopped to greet usher John H. before the game at Oracle arena in Oakland, Calif. The Golden State Warriors take on the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth game of the NBA playoffs Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

An unidentified Clippers fan stopped to greet usher John H. before...

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The stands began to fill for a must win game for the Warriors at Oracle arena in Oakland, Calif. The Golden State Warriors take on the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth game of the NBA playoffs Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

The stands began to fill for a must win game for the Warriors at...

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FILE - APRIL 26, 2014: It was reported that Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is being investigated by the National Basketball Association for making racist remarks to his girlfriend April 26, 2014. LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 05: Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling stands on the sidelines before the game with the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 87-86 to take a two games to one lead in the series. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Photo: Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

FILE - APRIL 26, 2014: It was reported that Los Angeles Clippers...

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In this photo taken on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013, Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, center, and V. Stiviano, right, watch the Clippers play the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game, in Los Angeles. The NBA is investigating a report of an audio recording in which a man purported to be Sterling makes racist remarks while speaking to his Stiviano. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement Saturday, April 26, 2014, that the league is in the process of authenticating the validity of the recording posted on TMZ's website. Bass called the comments "disturbing and offensive." (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Photo: Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press

In this photo taken on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013, Los Angeles Clippers...

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In this photo taken on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013, Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, center, and V. Stiviano, right, watch the Clippers play the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game, in Los Angeles. The NBA is investigating a report of an audio recording in which a man purported to be Sterling makes racist remarks while speaking to his Stiviano. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement Saturday, April 26, 2014, that the league is in the process of authenticating the validity of the recording posted on TMZ's website. Bass called the comments "disturbing and offensive." (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Photo: Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press

In this photo taken on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013, Los Angeles Clippers...

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver walks into an Warriors owners' lounge area at the end of the first half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series.

Members of the Los Angeles Clippers wear their warm up outfits inside-out as they watch the game against the Warriors in Oakland, Calif. The Golden State Warriors take on the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth game of the NBA playoffs Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Members of the Los Angeles Clippers wear their warm up outfits...

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David Lee (10) slams dunks a ball in the first half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series.

Deandre Jordan (6) tries to block a shot by Andre Iguodala (9) in the second half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series.

Stephen Curry (30) defends against Jamal Crawford (11) in the first half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series.

Chris Paul (3) reacts to a call that went agains the Cllippers in the first half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series.

The Warrior cheerleaders went into a dance as the team was announced. The Golden State Warriors take on the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth game of the NBA playoffs Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

The Warrior cheerleaders went into a dance as the team was...

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Draymond Green (23) got an offensive rebound in the fourth quarter. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 118-97 to capture the fourth game of the playoffs at Oracle arena and tie the series Sunday April 27, 2014.

Stephen Curry (30) got tangled by the Clippers Blake Griffin (32) in the second half. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 118-97 to capture the fourth game of the playoffs at Oracle arena and tie the series Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Stephen Curry (30) got tangled by the Clippers Blake Griffin (32)...

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Klay Thompson (11) got off a shot despite being defended by Hedo Turkoglu (8) in the second half. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 118-97 to capture the fourth game of the playoffs at Oracle arena and tie the series Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Klay Thompson (11) got off a shot despite being defended by Hedo...

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The crowd reacted to pregame ceremonies. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 118-97 to capture the fourth game of the playoffs at Oracle arena and tie the series Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

The crowd reacted to pregame ceremonies. The Golden State Warriors...

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Jermaine O'Neal (7) makes a dunk in the first half in Oakland, Calif. The Golden State Warriors take on the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth game of the NBA playoffs Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Jermaine O'Neal (7) makes a dunk in the first half in Oakland,...

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Stephen Curry reacted to a blocked shot on the Clippers J.J. Redick late in the second half. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 118-97 to capture the fourth game of the playoffs at Oracle arena and tie the series Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Stephen Curry reacted to a blocked shot on the Clippers J.J. Redick...

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Stephen Curry reacts to a basket in the first half in Oakland, Calif. The Golden State Warriors take on the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth game of the NBA playoffs Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Stephen Curry reacts to a basket in the first half in Oakland,...

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The bench and Stephen Curry (30) react to Curry's three point shot in the first half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series.

Fans cheered for Stephen Curry who had over 30 points in the game. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 118-97 to capture the fourth game of the playoffs at Oracle arena and tie the series Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Fans cheered for Stephen Curry who had over 30 points in the game....

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Jubilation from the crowd as the Warriors evened the series. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 118-97 to capture the fourth game of the playoffs at Oracle arena and tie the series Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Jubilation from the crowd as the Warriors evened the series. The...

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Stephen Curry (30) blocked a shot by J.J. Redick in the fourth quarter. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 118-97 to capture the fourth game of the playoffs at Oracle arena and tie the series Sunday April 27, 2014.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Stephen Curry (30) blocked a shot by J.J. Redick in the fourth...

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Team co-owner Joe Lacob said he wants fans to have access to the Warriors’ storied past.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

Team co-owner Joe Lacob said he wants fans to have access to the...

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Draymond Green hugs head coach Mark Jackson after coming out of the game in the second half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series.

Draymond Green hugs head coach Mark Jackson after coming out of the...

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Doc Rivers complains to the refs in the first half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series.

David Lee (10) and Stephen Curry (30) high five behind Draymond Green (23) in the first half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series.

David Lee (10) puts up a shot agains Matt Barnes (22) in the first half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series.

The Clippers’ Hedo Turkoglu commits a flagrant foul on Harrison Barnes in the second half of Golden State’s 118-97 win in Game 4 of the 2014 playoffs. The Clippers won the series in seven games.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

The Clippers’ Hedo Turkoglu commits a flagrant foul on Harrison...

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Klay Thompson (11) puts up a shot over Deandre Jordan (6) in the second half. The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series.

For the first time in their best-of-seven, first-round series against the Clippers, the Warriors started a small lineup in Game 4 - a move that allowed them to play quicker and with more assertiveness, freed Stephen Curry for offensive openings and tied the series with a resounding 118-97 victory at Oracle Arena.

With the series knotted 2-2 and shifting back to Los Angeles for Tuesday's Game 5, the Clippers are suddenly the team pressing to make adjustments - a stark change from two days ago, when they appeared to have all of the answers and all of the momentum.

Draymond Green got his second career postseason start and his first this season - bumping David Lee to center and moving Jermaine O'Neal to the bench - and helped the Warriors grab a lead they held for the game's final 45 minutes, 54 seconds.

"I thought our energy was spectacular ... we played with a sense of urgency and our superstar basketball player was special," said Warriors head coach Mark Jackson, who said he will stick with the small lineup for the rest of the series.

Using mostly that small group, the Warriors' offense showcased harmonious ball movement to create space for Curry's game-changing shooting stroke and produced a 27-8 dominance in fastbreak points, 55.4 percent shooting and 32 assists (the team's most in a postseason game since 1994).

The more agile lineup also allowed the Warriors to switch defensive assignments at will and to rotate and contest jumpers more furiously than they had at any other point during the series. They limited Blake Griffin to 14 hard-earned shots and forced the NBA's most-efficient regular-season offense into 42.9 percent shooting and 19 turnovers.

"I would have voted all five of their starters to the all-defensive team if I could vote today," Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said. "They were up in us, pushed us, grabbed us, held us, knocked us down, got every rebound and got all of the 50-50 balls. They were the tougher team."

Curry had 33 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and Griffin finished with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists as the teams' respective centerpieces appeared to swap places as the most impactful player in the series.

The high-level and beautiful play of the Warriors on Sunday helped provide the basketball world with a brief escape from the racist comments linked to Clippers owner Donald Sterling during the previous 24 hours.

In an indelible pregame image, the Clippers' players huddled at midcourt and tossed their team-issued jackets into a heap on the floor. Underneath, they wore red T-shirts that had been turned inside-out to hide the team's logo - a statement that they're now apparently playing for each other and no longer for Sterling's franchise.

The Clippers wore black bands on their arms and black socks. Point guard Chris Paul, who usually wears padded white sleeves under his jersey, swapped to a black version, but the Clippers weren't ever able to completely rally around their united message.

"When the game starts, the game starts, and nobody cares anymore," Rivers said. "Golden State surely didn't care. ... If we were injured physically or mentally, the other team doesn't care and shouldn't care, because it's a competition. We didn't handle the competition right."

The Warriors highlighted Curry early and raced out to the highest-scoring first quarter by any team in this year's playoffs. Curry, who had averaged six points on 22.2 percent three-point shooting in the first halves of Games 1-3, scored 17 points on 5-of-6 three-point shooting in Game 4's opening 8 1/2 minutes and helped stake the Warriors to a 39-19 lead.

The Clippers were never again within single digits of the lead, spending the rest of the game chasing a seemingly new opponent in this series.

A better position

Win or lose Sunday, the Warriors were guaranteed of playing at least another game. However, the franchise's history in seven-game series shows the importance of them avoiding falling behind the Clippers 3-1: